| Sparta Women kick off 2010 in Las Vegas for Silver Mug Tournament |
February 6th and 7th, 2010 – Sparta women traveled to Las Vegas, NV to participate in the Silver Mug (Bud Cup) Tournament as a prelude to the upcoming 2010 WPSL season. We brought down players from our 2009 WPSL team, elite players from our local community, and two players from the Sacramento area that play for fellow WPSL teams. The combination of so many fantastic players produced a phenomenal team that ultimately came in 2nd place with only one goal scored against us the entire tournament.
The team trained twice a week indoors for one month prior to the tournament focusing on fitness and technique. Between the training and the players’ previous experience, Coach Burrows felt that the team was much prepared better this year to face any competition that came their way. He fully expected the team to do very well and make its presence known in Vegas.
The tournament itself is difficult, at best, as the teams that make it to the final have played 6 games in 2 days. Further, the competition is intense as many WPSL teams enter this tournament to kick off their seasons. Our team ended up playing 4 games on Sunday which included the final against the San Francisco Nighthawks, a fellow WPSL team, who we had already played in a 0-0 tie Saturday and who had played one game less Sunday. Although the rigorous playing schedule was a bit of a detriment to our team’s ability to keep fresh, we were prepared mentally and physically for the challenge of the final game.
We played a great final match against the San Francisco Nighthawks, matching them play for play and continually driving forward, creating numerous opportunities. Unfortunately, our ball never made it into the their net and ,in a lapse of vital communication between our two fill-in center backs (our main center back went out with a pulled hip flexor), we allowed a goal – the only goal scored against us – into the net during the final half of the game. Nevertheless, Sparta Women showed true grit and determination playing every game to the fullest and giving 110% throughout the entire tournament. The team lived up to expectations – way to go Sparta Women!
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Sparta Women defend home turf against AZ Rush |
On the heels of two difficult losses to the AZ Rush June 12th and 13th , Sparta Women welcomed the Rush to Salt Lake City for a third match on June 26th that ended in a 2-1 triumph for Sparta. On the line for each team is first place in the Big Sky North Conference and the match proved to be an intense, physical game with each team determined to be the winner in order to continue to be in the running for the top standing.
Sparta Women had to fight for their win as they played a man down for 84 minutes of the game and endured an extended delay during the first half due to a severe rain storm. They impressively pulled together to earn the victory against a worthy opponent.
Sparta came out blazing in the first half and scored each of their 2 goals within the first 6 minutes of the game. Molli Neilson cracked a shot towards goal off of a volley to bring Sparta to a 1-0 lead in the first minute of the game. A few minutes later, Kira Sharp out-maneuvered 4 Rush defenders to score Sparta’s 2nd goal thereby effectively cementing Sparta’s intent to take the game.
The Rush retaliated with a drive towards Sparta’s goal in the 6th minute of the game that ended in a red card for keeper Emalee Rogers and a penalty kick for Rush. As Hailey Brown took the keeper position and Sparta regrouped tactically to deal with a 10 woman playing field, Rush took position for the penalty kick and scored bringing the game to 2-1.
As emotions started to run high in the progression of the game, with Sparta resolute in keeping the ball and Rush continuing to step up their attack, lightening and rain rolled into the Salt Lake Valley and the match was paused in the 17th minute. Procedures dictated that a mandatory maximum 45 minute delay be put into place before the game was called off, and both teams hunkered down to wait out the lightening and rain. Fortunately, the storm passed and after a 40 minute delay, play resumed until half time with the score remaining at 2-1.
In the second half Rush came onto the field determined to change the tide of the game. They committed more players forward and increased their pressure on Sparta in their determination to score. Nevertheless, Sparta maintained their focus and was able to deflect and withstand Rush’s efforts as well as continuing to drive their offensive game forward.
Rush received 4 yellow cards as the match played on in their attempt to take the game to their advantage. Lone striker Lauren Hair was constantly taken down with fouls, but she took the hits, kept the Sparta attack dangerous, and was able to keep the Rush defenders occupied. Wing defenders Rebecca Riddle and Linsey McFarland did an outstanding job of shutting down offensive attacks, winning the ball, and making runs forward to attack Rush’s goal. Hailey Brown, Sparta’s keeper, Lauren Bluth and Ashley Milliron, both centerbacks, were all exceptional in their defensive positions. Hailey withstood constant Rush onslaughts on goal and made some amazing saves. In the 80th minute, when Rush was able to make 3 successive hits on goal, Lauren made 2 key saves in conjunction with Hailey that kept Sparta ahead in the game.
Coach Burrows was very happy with the team’s performance and their ability to continue playing effectively despite the fact they were one player down for the majority of the game. Further, Hailey’s feats in goal earned her the highest respect of both the coaching staff and her teammates. Haley truly saved the day! Without question, Friday’s game showed what Sparta Women can do even when circumstances are not in their favor. Go Sparta!
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